LibriVox recording of
The First Apology of Justin Martyr, by Saint Justin Martyr.
The purpose of the
Apology is to prove to the emperors, renowned as upright and philosophical men, the injustice of the persecution of the Christians, who are the representatives of true philosophy … Christians are the true worshipers of God, the Creator of all things; they offer him the only sacrifices worthy of him, those of prayer and thanksgiving, and are taught by his Son, to whom they assign a place next in honor to him. This teaching leads them to perfect morality, as shown in their teacher's words and their own lives, and founded on their belief in the resurrection.
(Summary from Wikipedia)
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Reviewer:
gaboora
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April 4, 2017
Subject:
An Essential Christian Document
This apology is addressed to ‘Titus Elius Adrianus Antoninus Pius Augustus Caesar, and to his son,’ &c. Written on the very heels of the apostles’ time, and to a Caesar by a church leader, this address is an essential Christian document. Considering the power and brutality of the Roman Empire under Caesar, the tone of the address is striking. It is a combative discourse, which is not quite the tone that callow readers suppose the word ‘apology’ calls for.
If Justin Martyr were alive and walking among us as some other man, disseminating his Apology in his unapologetic temper, our leaders of seminaries and churches would dismiss him as an easily offended fanatic who shoots his mouth off. We are need of some Justin Martyrs today. Since the verses that are quoted, interpreted, and applied by Justin Martyr may be easily gathered together in a list, his First Apology would make excellent material for use in a Bible study.
This reading of the apology is so fluid as to be inconspicuous, which makes it easy to concentrate on what is read.